Renewing a Dartmouth landmark.

Pilot is transforming downtown Dartmouth’s former RBC building into new residential space while the property remains an active commercial and medical hub. The work brings together adaptive reuse strategies, envelope renewal, environmental abatement, and major systems upgrades – all delivered through careful phasing and constant communication. The goal is a renewed mixed-use building that continues to serve downtown Dartmouth with new purpose, flexibility, and life.

Project details:

• Architect: Fathom
• Client: Sidewalk
• Estimated completion date: September 2027

Project highlights:

• Maintaining operations for active commercial and medical tenants throughout construction.
• Replacing aging windows and a failing building envelope in an occupied building.
• Upgrading critical building systems while maintaining essential services.
• Preserving public access, safe egress, and life-safety systems throughout construction.
• Coordinating demolition and environmental abatement within an active commercial environment.
• Balancing the client’s industrial design vision with the realities of an existing steel structure.
• Scaffolded the entire building to support envelope upgrades while protecting occupants.
• Reorganized mechanical systems to improve efficiency and maximize ceiling heights.
• Applied value engineering to support both design intent and project performance.